Flexible sheet for resistive touch screen

ABSTRACT

A resistive touch screen, comprising: a) a substrate; b) a first conductive layer located on the substrate; c) a flexible cover sheet having integral compressible spacer dots; and d) a second conductive layer located on the flexible cover sheet between and over the integral spacer dots, and having localized areas of lower conductivity over the integral compressible spacer dots relative to the conductivity of the conductive layer located on the flexible cover sheet between the integral spacer dots.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to resistive touch screens and more particularly,to a flexible cover sheet and spacer dots separating the cover sheetfrom a substrate in a resistive touch screen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Resistive touch screens are widely used with conventional CRTs andflat-panel display devices in computers and in particular with portablecomputers.

FIG. 3 shows a portion of a prior-art resistive touch screen 10 of thetype shown in Published US Patent Application No. 2002/0094660A1, filedby Getz et al., Sep. 17, 2001, and published Jul. 18, 2002, whichincludes a rigid transparent substrate 12, having a first conductivelayer 14. A flexible transparent cover sheet 16 includes a secondconductive layer 18 that is physically separated from the firstconductive layer 14 by spacer dots 20 formed on the second conductivelayer 18 by screen printing.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the flexible transparent cover sheet 16 isdeformed, for example by finger 13 pressure, to cause the first andsecond conductive layers to come into electrical contact, a voltageapplied across the conductive layers 14 and 18 results in a flow ofcurrent proportional to the location of the contact. The conductivelayers 14 and 18 have a resistance selected to optimize power usage andposition sensing accuracy. The magnitude of this current is measuredthrough connectors (not shown) connected to metal conductive patterns(not shown) formed on the edges of conductive layers 18 and 14 to locatethe position of the deforming object.

Alternatively, it is known to form the spacer dots 20 for example byspraying through a mask or pneumatically sputtering small diametertransparent glass or polymer particles, as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,062,198 issued to Sun, Nov. 5, 1991. The transparent glass or polymerparticles are typically 45 microns in diameter or less and mixed with atransparent polymer adhesive in a volatile solvent before application.This process is relatively complex and expensive and the use of anadditional material such as an adhesive can be expected to diminish theclarity of the touch screen. Such prior-art spacer dots are limited inmaterials selections to polymers that can be manufactured into smallbeads or UV coated from monomers.

It is also known to use photolithography to form the spacer dots 20. Inthese prior-art methods, the spacer dots may come loose and move aroundwithin the device, thereby causing unintended or inconsistentactuations. Furthermore, contact between the conductive layers 14 and 18is not possible where the spacer dots are located, thereby reducing theaccuracy of the touch screen. Stress at the locations of the spacer dotscan also cause device failure after a number of actuations. Unless stepsare taken to adjust the index of refraction of the spacer dots, they canalso be visible to a user, thereby reducing the quality of a displaylocated behind the touch screen.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,220,815 (Gibson et al.) and US Patent ApplicationUS20040090426 (Bourdelais et al.) disclose integral spacer dots onflexible cover sheets for touch screen applications. However, thesesimple integral spacer dots must not have their top surfaces coated withthe conductive layer to avoid electrical shorts between the first andsecond conductive layers, 14 and 18. Such requirement adds complexity tothe manufacturing process, and may negatively impact yields.

There is a need therefore for an improved means to separate theconductive layers of a touch screen and a method of making the same thatimproves the robustness of the touch screen and reduces the cost ofmanufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention is directed towards a resistive touchscreen, comprising: a) a substrate; b) a first conductive layer locatedon the substrate; c) a flexible cover sheet having integral compressiblespacer dots; and d) a second conductive layer located on the flexiblecover sheet between and over the integral spacer dots, and havinglocalized areas of lower conductivity over the integral compressiblespacer dots relative to the conductivity of the conductive layer locatedon the flexible cover sheet between the integral spacer dots.

In a further embodiment, the invention is directed towards a method ofmaking a resistive touch screen, comprising the steps of: a) providing asubstrate; b) forming a first conductive layer on the substrate; c)providing a flexible cover sheet having integral compressible spacerdots on the cover sheet; d) forming a second conductive layer on theflexible cover sheet between and over the integral compressible spacerdots; e) reducing the conductivity of the second conductive layerlocally over the integral compressible spacer dots; and f) locating theflexible cover sheet over the substrate such that when a force isapplied to the flexible cover sheet at the location of one of thecompressible spacer dots, the compressible spacer dot is compressed toallow electrical contact between the first and second conductive layers.

ADVANTAGES

The touch screen of the present invention has the advantages that it issimple to manufacture, and provides greater accuracy, robustness, andclarity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a touch screenaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the touchscreen shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a prior-art touchscreen;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the touchscreen of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating one of the integral spacer dots havinga coating according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating one method of making a touchscreen according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating one of the integral spacer dots havinga coating with an area of reduced conductivity according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side-view of a resistive touch screen of an embodiment ofthe present invention integrated with a bottom-emitting flat-paneldisplay; and

FIG. 9 is a side-view of a resistive touch screen of an embodiment ofthe present invention integrated with a top-emitting flat-panel display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the problems of the prior-art resistive touchscreens are overcome through the use of a flexible cover sheet 16 havinga second conductive layer 18 and integral compressible spacer dots 50formed in the flexible cover sheet 16. The second conductive layer 18 onthe flexible cover sheet 16 covers the peaks of the integralcompressible spacer dots 50 but is relatively less conductive in theregion of the integral spacer dot, as illustrated in further detail inFIG. 7 discussed below. The word “integral” means that the compressiblespacer dots 50 are formed in and comprise the same material as theflexible cover sheet 16 for example by molding or embossing.

The integral compressible spacer dots 50 prevent the more conductiveregions of the second conductive layer 18 deposited on the flexiblecover sheet 16 between the integral spacer dots from touching the firstconductive layer 14 on substrate 12 of the touch screen 10. Because thepeaks of the second conductive layer 18 in the region of the integralcompressible spacer dots 50 are relatively less conductive and becausethe integral compressible spacer dots 50 physically separate theconductive regions of layer 18 and conductive layer 16, little or nocurrent can flow between the conductive layers. While the various layersof the touch screen may be transparent or not for differentapplications, in a preferred embodiment each of the substrate, firstconductive layer, flexible cover sheet, and second conductive layer aretransparent to allow use in combination with displays.

Referring to FIG. 2, in operation when an external object such as afinger 13 or stylus deforms the flexible cover sheet 16, the flexiblecover sheet 16 is pressed against the substrate 12 thereby causing theconductive layer 14 and conductive regions of layer 18 to touch andclose a circuit. Substrate 12 itself may be rigid or flexible. If thesubstrate is flexible, however, it should be less flexible than thecover sheet, or mounted upon a surface that is less flexible than thecover sheet. If the deformation occurs on one of the integralcompressible spacer dots 50 (as shown), the spacer dot is compressed sothat contact is made between conductive layers 14 and conductive regionsof layer 18 and current can flow between the conductive layers. Sincethe stylus or finger 13 is typically larger than the integralcompressible spacer dot 50, the relatively low conductive areas of layer18 at the top of the integral compressible spacer dot 50 does notinhibit the conductive layers 14 and the relatively more conductiveareas of layer 18 from touching.

Because the integral compressible spacer dots 50 are an integral part ofthe flexible cover sheet 16, they are fixed in position and cannot moveor come loose as can spacer dots composed of beads in an adhesivematrix, or dots that are formed by printing or photolithography.Moreover, the integral spacer dots can be smaller than conventionalspacer dots (e.g. as small as 1 micron in diameter, usually 10 to 50microns). Additional materials, such as adhesives, are unnecessary,thereby reducing manufacturing materials and steps and further improvingthe optical clarity of the device.

There are at least two methods for creating the integral compressiblespacer dots integral to the flexible cover sheet. The first is to takean existing, formed flexible cover sheet with no spacer dots and embossspacer dots in the flexible cover sheet by applying heat and pressure tothe flexible cover sheet in a mold that defines a reverse image of thespacer dots. The heat and pressure reforms the flexible cover sheet sothat the flexible cover sheet will have integral compressible spacerdots when the mold is removed. Such a mold can be, for example, acylinder that rolls over a continuous sheet of flexible cover sheetmaterial. In a second method melted polymer may be coated over the moldand forced into the cavities (for example by injection roll molding),allowed to cool, and then lifted from the mold. The mold may be providedwith the cavities through conventional means, for example machining,bead blasting or etching. Electromechanical engraving and fast-toolservo processes which may be used to form a patterned cylinder mold foruse in the present invention are also described in copending, commonlyassigned U.S. Ser. No. 10/987,467, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference. The base of the dot 50 (where it is connectedto the sheet 16) may be the maximum size of the spacer dot to facilitatethe extraction of the shaped material from the mold. The molding processmay be continuous roll molding.

With either method, a great variety of spacer dot shapes are possible,for example, cylinders, cubes, hemispheres, and pyramids. The spacer dotshape is dependent on a number of considerations, for example, themethod used for manufacturing, the size of the object used to deform thecover sheet, the size of the dots, the flexible cover sheet material,and the number of activations of the device over its useable lifetime.

In one embodiment of the invention, the integral compressible spacerdots of the invention may have a flat-topped circularly cylindricalshape. A circular cylinder provides for specular light transmission andhas impact resistance. Further, the ends of the cylinders can provideexcellent optical contact with the substrate. The diameter and height ofthe cylinders can be adjusted to provide the desired compressionprofile. As used herein compression profile means the ability of thespacer dots to undergo the desired compression and expansion.

In another embodiment of the invention, the integral compressible spacerdots may be hemisphere-shaped. The hemisphere provides a precision gapas well as high light transmission. The hemisphere also providesexcellent compression and fatigue characteristics. In another embodimentof the invention, the integral compressible spacer dots may becylinder-shaped having rectangular cross sections. A rectangularcompressible spacer dot (for example a cube) provides impact resistanceas well as a precision optical spacing. In another embodiment, theintegral compressible spacer dot may comprise a pyramid shape, which mayhave a flat top. A pyramid provides a precision optical gap as well assome light directing. A 45-degree pyramid in air will tend to focustransmitted light into a line perpendicular to the base of the pyramidproviding both optical spacing as well as light directing. Further, thepyramid and hemisphere shapes provide a more rapidly changingcompression gradient as the shape is compressed.

The flexible cover sheet having the integral compressible spacer dots ispreferably constructed from a polymer. In certain embodiments, atransparent flexible cover sheet may be desired, particularly incombination with touch screen devices comprising transparent substrates.A transparent polymeric material may provide high light transmissionproperties, is inexpensive and a sheet of polymeric material can easilybe formed with integral compressible spacer dots. Suitable polymermaterials include polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polycarbonates,cellulosic esters, polystyrene, polyvinyl resins, polysulfonamides,polyethers, polyimides, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethers,polyvinylidene fluoride, polyurethanes, polyphenylenesulfides,polytetrafluoroethylene, polyacetals, polysulfonates, polyesterionomers, and polyolefin ionomers as well as copolymers and blendsthereof. Polycarbonate polymers have high light transmission andstrength properties. Copolymers and/or mixtures of these polymers can beused.

Polyolefins particularly polypropylene, polyethylene, polymethylpentene,and mixtures thereof are suitable. Polyolefin copolymers, includingcopolymers of propylene and ethylene such as hexene, butene and octenecan also be used. Polyolefin polymers are suitable because they are lowin cost and have good strength and surface properties and have beenshown to be soft and scratch resistant.

The polymeric materials used to make flexible transparent cover sheet inpreferred embodiments of this invention preferably have a lighttransmission greater than 92%. A polymeric material having an elasticmodulus greater than 500 MPa is suitable. An elastic modulus greaterthan 500 MPa allows for the integral compressible spacer dots towithstand the compressive forces common to touch screens. Further, anelastic modulus greater than 500 MPa allows for efficient assembly of atouch screen as the dots are tough and scratch resistant.

A spacer dot integral to the flexible cover sheet significantly reducesunwanted reflection from an optical surface such as those present inprior art touch screens that utilize polymer beads. An integral spacerdot also provides for superior durability as the dot location is fixedin the flexible cover sheet of the invention and is not subject tomovement during vibration or extended use. The integral compressiblespacer dots of the invention preferably have heights between 2 and 100micrometers, more preferably between 2 and 50 micrometers, and mostpreferably between 10 and 50 micrometers, although shorter or tallerspacer dots might be desired in some applications. The height of thespacer dot should put enough distance between the top of the spacer dotand the conductive coating on the substrate so that inadvertentelectrical contact between conductive coating on the substrate and theconductive coating on the flexible sheet can be avoided, at least whenno touch is applied to the touch screen. In particular, the heightshould be at least somewhat greater than the size of possible asperitiesor other defects in the conductive coating(s) that could potentiallybridge the gap if the spacer dots were not tall enough. In general,larger height of the spacer dots means a lower probability ofinadvertent electrical contact and a higher actuation force. A heightless than 10 micrometers, and in particular less than 2 micrometers, maynot provide sufficient spacing for the two conductive layers resultingin false actuation. A height greater than 50 micrometers, and inparticular greater than 100 micrometers, separating the layers mayrequire too high a compression force to connect the two conductivelayers and thus may be problematic.

A desired maximum diameter for the spacer dots generally depends ontheir heights, so that the ratio of height to diameter is often therelevant quantity, although the absolute value of the diameter may alsobe important. Dots having a smaller diameter may be less visible to auser. Dots having a smaller diameter may also lead to better electronicperformance of the touch panel due to less total area coverage of thespacer dots. Very large dots may decrease touch screen resolution and/orincrease the activation force. In illustrative cases, spacer dot maximumdiameters may be in the range of 1 to 60 micrometers, although smalleror larger spacer dots might be desired in some applications. In someembodiments, the spacer dots preferably have height to width ratios ofbetween 0.5 and 3.0. It has been found that this range of aspect ratiosenables long lasting touch screen spacer dots that are compressible anddurable.

The integral compressible spacer dots preferably are spaced apart by adistance of greater than 0.25 millimeter, more preferably greater than 1millimeter. Spacing less than 0.25 millimeter may require compressiveforces that are too high to achieve contact between the two conductivelayers. The polymer and dot profile used for the flexible cover sheetwith integral compressible spacer dots according to this inventionpreferably provide for elastic deformation of greater than 1 millionactuations. Elastic deformation is the mechanical property of the spacerdot to recover at least 95% of its original height after an actuation.High-quality touch screens are also required to have a consistentactuation force over the useful lifetime of the device. Spacer dotfatigue can result in increasing actuation forces over the lifetime ofthe device, resulting in scratching of the surface of the touch screenand user frustration.

A variety of polymeric materials, inorganic additives, layered swellablematerials having a high aspect ratio wherein the size of the materialsin one dimension is substantially smaller than the size of the materialsin the other dimensions, organic ions and agents serving to intercalateor exfoliate the layer materials such as block copolymers or anethoxylated alcohols, smectite clays, nanocomposite materials, and meansto form the flexible cover sheet and integral spacer dots are describedin US Patent Application US20040090426, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

The size, shape, height, locations and spacing of compressible spacerdots can be chosen to meet the pressure and reliability usagespecification of a particular application. The locations may form apattern or may be random. Having the spacer dots vary in shape and/orspacing creates a touch screen that has varying levels of sensitivity,accuracy, and durability across the touch screen to tailor each area ofthe touch screen to its application. For example, the profile of theembossing can vary to complement a variety of flexible cover sheetmaterials so as to maximize the lifetime, clarity, and physicalproperties of the flexible cover sheet. In certain embodiments, it maydesirable to size and position the integral compressible spacer dots ina pattern that establishes at least one of differentiated minimumrequired activation forces and differentiated durability for selectedareas of the touch screen as described in copending, commonly assignedU.S. Ser. No. 10/988,340, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference herein.

Referring to FIG. 5, the profile of a truncated conical spacer dot 50that has a base diameter D_(b) that is 75% larger than the peak diameterD_(p) is shown integral to the flexible cover sheet 16 together with acoated conductive layer 18. This geometry has been shown to provide anexcellent compression profile allowing moderate levels of compressiveforce applied by the user to activate the touch screen. The basediameter being 75% larger than the peak diameter provides mechanicaltoughness, reduces dot wear and provides for over 1 million actuationsbefore a 5% loss in height. A suitable material for the compressive dotillustrated in FIG. 5 is a blend of polyester and polycarbonate wherethe polycarbonate is present in the amount of 10% by weight of thepolyester.

Referring to FIG. 6, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention,the integral spacer dots and flexible cover sheet are injection rollmolded as a single unit. In the injection roll molding process a polymer82 is heated above its melting point, and is injected under pressureinto a nip 86 formed by a patterned roller 80 and an elastomer coveredbacking roller 84 in direct contact with the patterned roller 80. Thepatterned roller 80 has a pattern of cavities for forming the integralspacer dots. As the polymer is injected into the nip 86, some of themelted polymer fills the cavities of the patterned roller to form theintegral spacer dots and the balance of the polymer is squeezed into aflat sheet having the integral spacer dots. After the integral spacerdots and flexible cover sheet have been formed, the flexible cover sheetwith integral spacer dots is mechanically released from both of therollers.

Next, a conductive layer is applied 90 on the flexible cover sheet, overand between the integral spacer dots. Suitable coating methods includingcurtain coating, roll coating and spin coating, slide coating, ink jetprinting, patterned gravure coating, blade coating, electro-photographiccoating and centrifugal coating may be used to apply the conductivecoating. The conductive coating may typically have a sheet resistivityof between 100 and 600 ohms/square. The surface on which the conductivematerial is deposited can be pre-treated for improved adhesion by any ofthe means known in the art, such as acid etching, flame treatment,corona discharge treatment, glow discharge treatment or can be coatedwith a suitable primer layer. However, corona discharge treatment is thepreferred means for adhesion promotion. The coating may then be dried orcured to form a conductive layer.

In preferred embodiments, the conductive layer is transparent, and maybe formed, e.g., from materials which include metal oxides, for exampleindium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, and antimony tin oxide, andelectrically conductive polymers such as substituted or unsubstitutedpolythiophenes, substituted or unsubstituted polypyrroles, single-wallcarbon nanotubes, and substituted or unsubstituted polyanilines.Preferred electrically conducting polymers for the present inventioninclude polypyrrole styrene sulfonate (referred to as polypyrrole/poly(styrene sulfonic acid) in U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,654), 3,4-dialkoxysubstituted polypyrrole styrene sulfonate, and 3,4-dialkoxy substitutedpolythiophene styrene sulfonate. The most preferred substitutedelectronically conductive polymers include poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene styrene sulfonate).

Once the conductive layer is in place, the conductivity of the materialon or near the integral spacer dots is reduced. Localized conductivityreduction may be achieved, e.g., by patterned treatment of theconductive material with a chemical, for example an oxidant or bleachsuch as a hypochlorite (e.g., calcium hypochlorite or sodiumhypochlorite). Suitable chemicals are described in EP1054414 B1 entitled“Method for patterning a layer of conductive polymer by Cloots et al,granted 20030312. This disclosure describes a method for producingelectrode pattern in a conductive polymer on a substrate comprising thesteps of: applying a layer containing between 10 and 5000 mg/m² of aconductive polymer, so as to prepare a conductive layer; and printing anelectrode pattern on said layer using a printing solution containing ofan oxidant selected from the group consisting of ClO⁻, BrO⁻, MnO₄ ⁻,Cr₂O₇ ⁻, S₂O₈ ⁻ and H₂O₂. As shown in FIG. 6, the chemical may belocally applied, e.g., with an inkjet device 94. Alternatively, as thespacer dots protrude from a main surface of the cover sheet, the secondconductive layer will form peaks in areas over the spacer dots, and thechemical may be locally applied by contacting the peaks of the secondconductive layer formed over the spacer beads with a chemically coatedsurface, for example a roller (not shown). FIG. 7 illustrates theeffect. Referring to FIG. 7, an integral spacer dot 50 has a coating 18over it with localized areas of reduced conductivity 55 formed over thespacer dot and normal conductivity 57 between spacer dots.

As further illustrated in FIG. 6, the web of transparent flexible coversheet material with integral spacer dots may then be cut 92 intoindividual cover sheets 16, and applied to a substrate 12 of a touchscreen 10.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the touch screen of the present inventioncan be integrated into a flat-panel display by using either the cover orthe substrate of the flat-panel display as a transparent substrate 12 ofthe touch screen. The flat-panel display may emit light through atransparent cover or through a transparent substrate. As shown in FIG.8, a flat-panel OLED display with an integrated touch screen 60 includesa substrate 12, OLED materials 40 and encapsulating cover 42 for theOLED display. On the opposite side of the substrate 12, the touch screenincludes the first conductive layer 14 and the flexible transparentcover sheet 16 having a second conductive layer 18 and integralcompressible spacer dots 50.

As shown in FIG. 9, an OLED display with an integrated touch screen 62includes a substrate 11, OLED materials 40, and an encapsulating cover42 for the OLED display, which serves as the substrate for the touchscreen. On the opposite side of the encapsulating cover 42, the touchscreen includes the first conductive layer 14 and the flexibletransparent cover sheet 16 having a second conductive layer 18 andintegral compressible spacer dots 50.

The number of features per area is determined by the spacer dot size andthe pattern depth. Larger diameters and deeper patterns require fewernumbers of features in a given area. Therefore the number of features isinherently determined by the spacer dot size and the pattern depth. Thespacer dots of the invention may also be manufactured by vacuum formingaround a pattern, injection molding the dots and embossing dots in apolymer web. While these manufacturing techniques do yield acceptabledots, injection roll molding polymer onto a patterned roller allows forthe flexible cover sheet with spacer dots of the invention to be formedinto rolls thereby lowering the manufacturing cost.

Injection roll molding has been shown to more efficiently replicate thedesired complex dot geometry compared to embossing and vacuum forming.It is further contemplated that the flexible cover sheet is cut into thedesired size for application to an LCD or OLED flat-panel display, forexample.

The present invention may be used in conjunction with any flat paneldisplay, including but not limited to OLED and liquid crystal displaydevices.

The entire contents of the patents and other publications referred to inthis specification are incorporated herein by reference.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

Parts List

-   10 resistive touch screen-   11 substrate-   12 substrate-   13 finger-   14 first conductive layer-   16 cover sheet-   18 second conductive layer-   20 spacer dots-   40 OLED materials-   42 encapsulating cover-   50 integral compressible spacer dots-   55 area of reduced conductivity-   57 conductive area-   60 OLED display with integrated touch screen-   62 OLED display with integrated touch screen-   80 patterned roller-   82 polymer-   84 backing roller-   86 nip-   90 conductive layer application-   92 cut step-   94 inkjet application

1. A resistive touch screen, comprising: a) a substrate; b) a firstconductive layer located on the substrate; c) a flexible cover sheethaving integral compressible spacer dots; and d) a second conductivelayer located on the flexible cover sheet between and over the integralspacer dots, and having localized areas of lower conductivity over theintegral compressible spacer dots relative to the conductivity of theconductive layer located on the flexible cover sheet between theintegral spacer dots.
 2. The resistive touch screen of claim 1, whereinthe substrate, first conductive layer, flexible cover sheet, and secondconductive layer are transparent.
 3. The resistive touch screen of claim2, wherein the substrate is rigid.
 4. The resistive touch, screenclaimed in claim 1, wherein the substrate of the touch screen is thesubstrate or cover of a flat-panel display device.
 5. The resistivetouch screen claimed in claim 4, wherein the flat-panel display deviceis an OLED display device.
 6. The resistive touch screen of claim 1,wherein said flexible cover comprises one of the group including:polymer, polyolefin polymer, polyester, polycarbonate, and a blend ofpolyester and polycarbonate.
 7. The resistive touch screen of claim 1,wherein said integral compressible spacer dots comprise cylinder-shapeddots, cube-shaped dots, pyramid-shaped dots, or sphere-shaped dots. 8.The resistive touch screen of claim 1, wherein said substrate comprisesa rigid material.
 9. The resistive touch screen of claim 1, wherein thesecond conductive layer comprises an electrically conductive polymer.10. The resistive touch screen of claim 9, wherein the conductive layercomprises one of the group including polypyrrole styrene sulfonate,3,4-dialkoxy substituted polypyrrole styrene sulfonate, and 3,4-dialkoxysubstituted polythiophene styrene sulfonate, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene styrene sulfonate.
 11. The resistive touch screen ofclaim 9, wherein the localized areas of lower conductivity in the secondconductive layer comprise areas contacted with a chemical.
 12. Theresistive touch screen of claim 11, wherein the chemical is an oxidant.13. The resistive touch screen of claim 12, wherein the oxidant isselected from the group consisting of ClO⁻, BrO⁻, MnO₄ ⁻, Cr₂O₇ ⁻, S₂O₈⁻ and H₂O₂.
 14. A method of making a resistive touch screen, comprisingthe steps of: a) providing a substrate; b) forming a first conductivelayer on the substrate; c) providing a flexible cover sheet havingintegral compressible spacer dots on the cover sheet; d) forming asecond conductive layer on the flexible cover sheet between and over theintegral compressible spacer dots; e) reducing the conductivity of thesecond conductive layer locally over the integral compressible spacerdots; and f) locating the flexible cover sheet over the substrate suchthat when a force is applied to the flexible cover sheet at the locationof one of the compressible spacer dots, the compressible spacer dot iscompressed to allow electrical contact between the first and secondconductive layers.
 15. The method claimed in claim 14, wherein theflexible cover sheet is provided as a web in a continuous roll, theintegral spacer dots are molded in the continuous roll, and the sheet iscut from the roll.
 16. The method claimed in claim 14, wherein theintegral spacer dots are formed in the flexible cover sheet by injectionroll molding.
 17. The method claimed in claim 14, wherein the spacerdots are formed in the flexible cover sheet by applying heat andpressure to the flexible cover sheet by a mold including a reverse imageof the spacer dots.
 18. The method claimed in claim 14, wherein thereduction in conductivity in step (e) is achieved through localdeposition of a chemical on the second conductive layer over theintegral spacer dots.
 19. The method claimed in claim 18, wherein thedeposition of the chemical is achieved with an inkjet device.
 20. Themethod claimed in claim 18, wherein the second conductive layer formspeaks in areas over the spacer dots and deposition of the chemical isachieved by contacting the peaks of the second conductive layer with achemically coated surface.
 21. The method claimed in claim 20, whereinthe coated surface is a roller.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein thesecond conductive layer comprises an electrically conductive polymer.23. The method claimed in claim 22, wherein the chemical is an oxidant.24. The method claimed in claim 23, wherein the oxidant is selected fromthe group consisting of ClO⁻, BrO⁻, MnO₄ ⁻, Cr₂O₇ ⁻, S₂O₈ ⁻ and H₂O₂.